Table 2.

Survey respondents’ experience of symptom onset and diagnosis

Symptom experience		N [%]
Symptoms first noticeda	Menstrual irregularities	162 (83.5)
	Excess hair growth	98 (50.5)
	Body weight gain	96 (49.5)
	Acne	93 (47.9)
	Infertility	35 (18.0)
	Other symptomsb	39 (20.6)
Symptoms that led to seek medical help	Menstrual irregularities	144 (74.2)
	Body weight gain	63 (32.5)
	Excess hair growth	56 (28.9)
	Acne	51 (26.23)
	Infertility	53 (27.3)
	Other symptomsc	24 (12.4)
	Other reasons outside of symptomsd	8 (4.1)
Time frames [years]	range	[mean ± SD]
Age at first seeking medical help	10–42	19.98 ± 6.14
Age at diagnosise	13–36	24.01 ± 6.12
Time between first seeking help and diagnosis	< 1–20	4.25 ± 5.86
Diagnosis		N [%]
Clinician who made PCOS diagnosis	Family doctor	98 (50.5)
	Referred specialist	73 (37.6)
	More than one family doctor or referred specialistf	110 (56.7)
Information about PCOS-related potential long-term health complications	Received information at diagnosis	47 [24.2]
	Did not receive information at diagnosis	135 [69.6]
	Not reported	12 [6.2]
Recommendations and treatment	Themes from open questionsg	N [%]
Information provided	Pregnancy/fertility-related information	20 [10.3]
	Verbal information including diabetes risk	7 [3.6]
	Verbal information including high blood pressure	3 [1.5]
	Verbal information including mental issues	1 [0.5]
	PCOS information printout/website	4 [2.1]
Recommendation and advice	Loose weight	28 [14.4]
	Exercise	3 [1.5]
	No to worry until wish for babies	9 [4.6]
	Consult naturopath	1 [0.5]
Prescription	Birth control	35 [18.0]
	Metformin	16 [8.2]
	Letrozole	2 [1.0]
	Spironolactone	2 [1.0]
	Clomid	1 [0.5]
	Ozempic	1 [0.5]

^aRespondents could choose more than on answer

^bInclude fatigue, severe cramps, pain, migraines, hair loss

^cInclude fatigue, severe menstrual bleeding, severe lower abdominal pain, hair loss

^dInclude IUD check up, pap test, physical exam, ultra sound for pain

^en = 5 respondents reported that their have not received a definite diagnosis of PCOS

^fmay include one or more than one Family doctor, Endocrinologist, Gynecologist, Obstetrician, Fertility Specialist, Naturopath or alternative medicine practitioner

^gmore than one information of recommendation could have been provided